Trial benefits exceed costs: report

31/07/17

The Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA) and the Australian Commission on Safety and Equality in Health Care have published a landmark report outlining the economic benefits of investigator-initiated clinical trials.

The report finds that if the results of 25 high-impact clinical trials were implemented in 65% of the eligible Australian patient populations:

• The gross benefit to the Australian economy would be $2 billion through better health outcomes and reduced health service costs
• An overall return would be $5.80 for every $1 invested

Benefits would exceed costs if the results of these trials were implemented in only 11% of the eligible patient populations.

For every $1 awarded in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants to the 25 trials, a return of $51.10 was achieved.

National Health and Medical Research Funding provided to all Australian trial investigator networks between 2004 and 2014 accounts for 9% of the $2 billion gross benefit estimated. 

Download a copy of the full report here.